MPs debate future of Scotland's oldest student paper

Questions have been asked in the House of Commons about Aberdeen University's student newspaper after its editor resigned and editorial team went on strike in protest at what they say is an attack on their freedom by publishers.

Mark Highfield resigned as editor of the Gaudie, the oldest student newspaper in Scotland, on Monday. He claims the Student Association, which funds the paper's 4,000 weekly print run, had attempted to half the number of editions and influence its choice of editor.

He blames the move on recent criticisms of the association in the paper.

Mr Highfield said: "We don't believe there is a real financial need to cut the number of issues. We are doing better than budget."

Following his resignation early on Monday morning, the paper's 12-strong editorial team have refused to produce any more editions this term.

But the president of the Student Association, Duncan Cockburn, said it was trying to make the newspaper fortnightly for financial reasons. He claimed the association spends £40,000 a year on the paper, but only £30,000 on welfare. He also said the association wanted more "editorial input" in the form of a sabbatical officer to edit the publication, because standards had been dropping. The association believes, because it pays for the newspaper, it should have more editorial control.

Mr Cockburn said: "At the end of the day we are responsible for the publication. There is a feeling of frustration that we are unable to make it any better. This is by no means to suppress the criticisms of ourselves. We want to have more control of the management of the newspaper."

Mr Highfield, who has been editor since January, claimed the quality of the paper had greatly improved over the last few months.

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, yesterday tabled a motion in Parliament about the Aberdeen dispute.

The motion reads: "This House notes with concern attempts by Aberdeen University students' association to influence the tradition of editorial independence of the Gaudie, the university newspaper, which is the oldest university newspaper in Scotland, by removing the power of appointment of the paper's editor from the staff. This house believes that freedom of the press is as important in universities as it is anywhere else and calls on the students' association to reconsider this ill-advised move."

Penny Hollings, national secretary of the National Union of Students, said: "What happens in a lot of universities is that because the student newspaper is paid for by the student union the president or communications officer will be in an editor-in-chief role to check for libel. As long as the student association are liable in terms of defamation the student association or union will have a level of editorial control over that paper."

She added that unions in some of the bigger universities, such as Leeds and London, waive their right to have an input in student publications to maintain independence.